Kmart Doubles Week is back!

This is supposed to be the last Kmart doubles week until 2010!

Scotch Padded Envelopes .89-1.09
Use .50/1 from 7/26 RP
Final Price: FREE-.09

Glade 2oz Fragrance Collection Candles $2.99
Use FREE coupon from 8/9 SS
Final Price: FREE

Renuzit Odor Neutralizer $1.89
Use $1/1 from 7/19 SS
Final Price: FREE

Nature's Source Cleaners $2
Look for peelies on the product for $1 off
Final Price: FREE

Scotch Pop Up Tape Dispenser $2.39-3.99
Use $2/1 printable HERE
Final Price: FREE- Don't forget the free sack HERE when you purchase 4 products

Playtex Gloves $1.79
Use $1/1 from 6/28 SS
Final Price: FREE

Ajax or Palmolive Dish Soap $1.99
Use $1/1 printable HERE (85712)
Final Price: FREE

Lysol Neutra Air Spray 3/$8
Use $1.50/1 from 7/12 SS
Final Price: FREE

Scrubbing Bubbles Toliet Gel $3.50
Use $2/1 coupon HERE
Final Price: FREE Plus use Free Starter Kit when you buy gel from 8/2 SS

Chinet Plates $3.79-4.49
Use $2/1 from 8/9 SS
Final Price: FREE-.49

{Grocery}

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups .69
Use .55/1 from 8/23 SS
Final Price: FREE

Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal 4/$11
Use $2/1 printable HERE (if your store has pecan flavor)
Final Price: FREE

Wish Bone Salad Dressing $1.99
Use $1/1 from 6/28 RP
Final Price: FREE

Lay's Chips $2
Use $1/1 from August All You (if Baked are included)
Final Price: FREE

Lipton Tea Bags (smallest box) $1.19
Use the .60 coupon from the 8/2RP
Final cost FREE! (Thanks Hip2Save!)

Bumble Bee Premium Tuna Pouch 2.5 oz $1.99
Use the $1 coupon from the 6/14SS
Final cost FREE! (Thanks Hip2Save!)

Smart Water $1
Use $1/2 from 6/21 SS (expires 8/20)
Final Price: 2 for FREE

Bumble Bee Tuna 5/$5
Click HERE to sign up as a fan on Facebook and get a $1/2 coupon
Final Price: 2 for FREE

Starbucks Double Shot $2
Use $1/1 from 6/21 SS
Final Price: FREE

Coffeemate $2.29-2.79
Use $1/1 HERE
Final Price: .29-.79

Trident Gum $1
Use $1/2 HERE
Final Price: 2 for FREE

{Pet Care}

Beggin Strips $2.79
Use $1.50/1 HERE
Final Price: FREE

Goodlife Cat Treats $1.99
Use $1/1 HERE
Final Price: FREE

Pupperoni Dog Treats $2.99
Use $1.50/1 HERE
Final Price: FREE

{Health and Beauty Aids}

Visine Products $3.99
Use $2/1 from 8/2 SS
Final Price: FREE

Rimmel Superlash Mascara $3.59
Use $2/1 HERE or from 8/23 RP
Final Price: FREE

Johnson and Johnson Trial Size First Aid Kit $1.05
Use $1/1 from 5/17 RP
Final Price: FREE (or pay .05 and don't use this coupon as part of your 10 limit) (Thanks Laina!)

Rimmel Lipliner or Blush $3.19
Use $1/1 HERE
Final Price: $1.19

Glide Floss $3.79
Use $2/1 from 7/12 RP
Final Price: FREE

Speedstick Deodorant $2.50 (men's or women's)
Use $1.50/1 printable HERE (33907)
Final Price: FREE

Reach Floss $1.69
Use $1/1 from 8/2 SS
Final Price: FREE

Softsoap Ensembles Refill $2.99*
Use $2/1 HERE
Final Price: FREE
*We should see a coupon in the 8/30 SS for $3.00 off a refill when you buy a pump.
{Deal Idea:}
Buy 1 Pump at $4.99
Use $2/1 coupon
Final Price: .99 plus get a FREE refill

Kotex Liners $1.29
Use $1/1 HERE
Final Price: FREE

Ban Deodorant $2
Use $1/1 from 8/9 SS
Final Price: FREE

Johnson Guaze $1.79 or Tape $1.99
Use $1/1 from 8/2 SS
Final Price: FREE

Vaseline Lotions $2.50
Use $1.50/1 or $1.25/1 from 8/2 RP
Final Price: FREE

Dove Ultimate Deodorant $3.99
Use $2/1 printable HERE
Final Price: FREE

Dove Visably Smooth Deodorant $3.99
Use $2/1 printable HERE
Final Price: FREE

Tag Body Spray $3.99-4.29
Use $2/1 from 8/2 P&G (expires 8/31)
Final Price: FREE-.29
PLUS Use Buy One Get One coupon from 8/30 P&G to get a second one free!

Walgreens match-ups 8/30

Weekly Deals
Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners $1.99 - Receive $1.99 in RR
- Use the $1/1 PRINTABLE coupon
FREE plus $1.00 overage after coupon and RR

Colgate 360 ActiFlex Toothbrush $2.99 - Receive $2.99 in RR
FREE after RR

Men's Zone 6 Blade Razor System $3.99 - Receive $3.99 in RR
FREE after RR

Rembrandt Toothpaste $5 - Receive $5 in RR
- Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 08-02-09 SS insert
FREE plus $1 overage after coupon and RR

Theraflu Cold, Cough or Sinus Relief $4.99 - Receive $3 in RR
- Use the $2/1 PRINTABLE coupon - must register
FREE after coupon and RR

Nutri-Grain Bars, Special K Bars, Raisin Bran, Smart Start BOGO $3.99 (price est)
- Use the $1/2 coupon in the Fuel For School insert
- there is a coupon for each of these items in there
$1.49 each or less after coupon

**Deal Idea
Buy 10 boxes at the BOGO price $19.95
- use 5 $1/2 coupon - $5.00
Total = $14.95
- Submit for the $10 Fuel for School rebate
$4.95 total OOP ($.49 each!!)
**This could be even less depending on the prices!
FREE if the items are priced at $2.99 each!

Coffee-Mate Creamer 2/$3 - $1.50 each
- Use the $1.50/2 PRINTABLE coupon
$.75 each after coupon
**These have evidently reset because I was able to print them again!

Monthly Deals - should be valid until 8/31 (not sure after that!)
Band Aids $2.99 or Neosporin $3.99 - Receive $4 in RR wyb 2
- Use the $1/1 Band Aid coupon found in the 08-02-09 SS insert
- OR Use the $1/1 Neosporin coupon found in the 08-02-09 SS insert
Buy two Band Aids use two coupons = FREE
Buy two Neosporin use two coupons = $1.00 each
- can also use the $2 off coupon in the coloring book = PROFIT $2.00
Buy one of each and use two coupons = $.50 each

Huggies Wipes $2.99 (price estimate)
- Use the $.50 coupon found in the 07-19-09 SS insert
- PLUS Use the $2/1 coupon in the Back to School flyer
$.49 each after coupon (could be more or FREE depending on price!)

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrient 3 Minute Treatment $3.99 - Receive $2 in RR
- Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 07-12-09 RP insert
$.99 each after coupon and RR

Pop Tarts $2.00 - Receive $5 in RR wyb 10 worth
**Deal Idea
Buy 10 boxes for $20.00
- Use five $1/2 coupons found in 08-02-09 RP insert (-$5.00)
Pay $15 OOP
Receive $5 in RR (-$5.00)
- Submit for the $10 Fuel for School Rebate wyb 10 items (-$10.00)
Get 10 boxes for free

If you don't have 10 coupons you can buy ten off ebay for $2.00, since this is a month long deal you have time to do this, even with buying the coupons its still a $3 profit! BUT you need to buy 10 in one transaction to get the rebate so make sure your store has a bunch before you buy them!

CVS Deals and match-ups 8/30

Click HERE to watch a short video and get a $5 off $25 coupon....if you haven't already. Also make sure to check your email before you go, a lot of people have been receiving free items coupons in their email!

Sunday Thru Tuesday Deals - no ECB after Tuesday
Essence of Beauty Robe $5.00 ($40 value)

Hershey's, Mars or Nestle 8 packs $.77

Hershey's, Mars or Nestle bags 2/$4

Weekly Deals
Bayer Contour Monitor $14.99 - Receive $5 in ECB
- Use the $30/1 coupon found in the 02-01-09 RP or 03-22-09 SS insert
- this coupon will be adjusted down to $14.99
FREE plus $5 overage on each - Limit 2

Clairol Natural Instincts Loving Care Hair Color $4.99 - Receive $2 in ECB
- Use the $4/1 coupon found in the 08-02-09 PG insert (exp 8/31!)
FREE plus $1.01 overage after coupon and ECB - Limit 1

Glade Scented Reed Diffuser or Soy Candle $6.99 - Receive $6.99 in ECB
- Use the $3/1 found in the August All You Magazine
- OR Use the $2/1 PRINTABLE coupon
FREE plus up to $3 in overage after coupons and ECB - Limit 1

Bounce Dryer Bar 2 ct or Tide Stain Release $3.99 - Receive $1 in ECB
- Use the $2.50/1 Vocal Point Bounce Bar coupon (if you have it)
- OR Use the $1/1 Bounce Bar coupon found in the 08-30-09 PG insert
- OR Use the $1/1 Tide Stain Release coupon found in the 08-16-09 SS insert
- OR Use the $1.50/1 Tide Stain Release PRINTABLE coupon
$.49 - $1.99 each after coupons and ECB - Limit 2

Revlon Cosmetics BOGO starting at $3.90
- Use the $2/1 coupon in the Aug Glamour Mag
- PLUS use the $1/1 coupon found in the 08-16-09 SS insert (or use 2 of these)
$.45 - $.99 and up after coupons

Tide $5.98
- Use the $2/1 coupon found in the 08-09-09 RP insert
- OR Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 08-30-09 PG insert
$3.98 to $4.98 after coupon - Limit 3

Dawn $.97
- Use the $.25/1 coupon found in the 08-30-09 PG insert
$.72 each after coupon - Limit 4

Target match-ups 8/30

Click HERE to print $27 in Target Baby Coupons.

Target has also released a ton of new PRINTABLE Target coupons, remember you can use one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon on each item. You can print as many of these as you want, so make sure you get a bunch at once to help save on printing!

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***HOT DEAL
Edy's Ice Cream, Haagen Daaz, or Drumsticks $2.50 each - $5 Gift card wyb 5
- Use the $1/1 Edy's PRINTABLE Target coupon
- PLUS Use the $1/1 Edy's coupon found in the 08-23-09 RP insert

Buy 5 Edy's Ice Creams for $12.50
- use five $1 off Target coupons - $5.00
- use five $1 off Edy's manufacturer coupons - $5.00
Spend $2.50
- receive a $5.00 gift card
PROFIT $2.50 and get five Edy's for FREE

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Special K bars or cereal $2.39 - Receive $5 Gift card wyb 4
- Use the $1/2 bar coupons found in the 07-12-09 RP insert or PRINTABLE
- Use the $1/1 PRINTABLE Blueberry Special K cereal
- these should be included and you can print two

Buy 2 Special K cereal bars $4.78
Buy 2 Special K blueberry cereals $4.78
Total $9.56
- use the $1/2 cereal bar coupon - $1.00
- use two $1/1 cereal coupons - $2.00
Total = $6.56
- receive $5 gift card
Total $1.56 for all cereal and cereal bars ($.39 each)
Total $2.56 if you just do the cereal bars ($.64 each)

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HP Ink Cartridges $23.49 - Receive $10 gift card wyb 2
$18.49 each after gift card

Pop Tarts 12 count $2.39 - Free Gallon of Milk wyb 2
- Use the $1/2 coupon found in the fuel for school insert
$3.78 both coupon PLUS get Free Milk ($1.89 each)

Fresh Apples $.99 lb.
- Use the $1 off PRINTABLE Target apple coupon
Get One Pound of Apples FREE!

Fresh Bananas $.69 lb.
- Use the $.50 off PRINTABLE Target apple coupon
$.19 per pound

Freebie roundup 8/26

Free Sample of EoSphere Lip Balm

Sign up and get a Free Sample of Eosphere Lip Balm. These things look super cool. Click HERE to get your free sample!

Free Will from Legal Einstein

Sign up and get a free will from Legal Einstein. If you don't have a will, you should, especially if you have children. This looks like a great opportunity to get one for FREE! Click HERE to get your free will!

Free Sample of Crazy Ed's Roadkill Awesome Beef Jerky
Sign up and get a Free Sample of Crazy Ed's Roadkill Awesome Beef Jerky. Gotta love that name...lol. Click HERE to get your free sample!

Free Sample of NeXXus Therappe Shampoo & Conditioner - First 1,000

The first 1,000 people to sign up will get a FREE sample of NeXXus Therappe Shampoo and Humectress Conditioner. Nexxus Therappe Shampoo and Humectress Conditioner have new enhanced formulas – scientifically developed and salon proven to add moisture leaving hair healthy and beautiful. Click HERE to get your free samples!

Sign Up to Get a Free Beech Nut Starter Kit by Mail

Sign up for the Beech Nut eNewsletter and get a free starter kit. Allow 3-5 weeks for your kit to arrive. Click HERE to sign up for your free kit.

Fiber One Sample and $5 in Coupons

Sign up and get a free sample of Fiber One Honey Clusters Cereal & Fiber One Oats & Chocolate bar plus $5 in coupons. Click HERE to sign up!

Two Free Samples of Prilosec OTC

I have two great Prilosec OTC samples for you. First click HERE to get your first sample directly from Prilosec, then click HERE to get a free sample from Kroger!

Walgreens - $5 off $25 Purchase Printable Coupon

Print out THIS coupon to any Walgreens and get $5 off any $25 purchase. Coupon is valid for the next four days until Saturday!

Walmart Sample - Free Hallmark Card

Sign up and get a free Hallmart card from Walmart - it doesn't specify what kind of card it is but Hey its a free card and as always you can count on this freebie coming! Click HERE to get your free card.

Cooking Light - Free Shopping Tote w/Samples & Coupons (first 1,000)

Cooking Light Magazine is offering a free shopping tote bag filled with advertiser samples and coupons. Buy just ONE of any of these products - Culturelle, Estroven, Minute Ready to Serve brown rice, Ritz crackerfuls, Success boil in bag rice, Wish Bone Italian dressing or York dark chocolate peppermint patty. Then mail the receipt dated 8/24-9/29 with proof of purchase and a postcard with your name and address to:

Cooking Light Happy Reward
PO Box 5097
South Hackensack, NJ 07026-2067

This is only valid for the first 1,000 readers so you better get your form in if you would like to get this. Click HERE to learn more.

Deals scored this week 8/26

This first deal was at Walgreens. (pictured above)
Accu-Chek Aviva $10 on sale (used $10 SS coupon from 8/23, there is also a slip in the box for a mail-in rebate up to $25, so this could be a possible money maker)
Dawn dish soap $.99 with in-store coupon in ad for $.99 (used P&G coupon for $.25 off)
Chicken of the sea pink salmon $2.19 x 2 (used in-store coupon in ad for BOGO)
Total spent OOP: $2.99 (I have sent in my rebate for the Accu-check, so after rebate is received, it will be $7.01 profit!)

Target (pictured above):
Honey Nut Cheerios cereal cup $1 (used printable $1 off General Mills coupon from Target here)
Vaseline travel-sized lotion $.97 (used printable $1 off coupon from vaseline website)
Up Mouthwash $2.79 (not pictured, Up is the Target store brand, this was marked down from $4.29 and I desperately needed more mouthwash, no coupon used)
Head n Shoulders travel-sized shampoo $.97 (used $1 off coupon from P&G insert 8/2)
Purina cat food $5.99 (used printable $2 off coupon from Target and printable $3.50 coupon from giveabowl.com)
Chef Michael dog food $4.49 x 2 (used 2 printable $1.50 off coupons from Target and 2 printable $3 off coupons from purinacare website for getting a pet insurance quote)
Nexcare travel-sized bandages $.99 (used $1 off printable coupon)
Feline Pine 4.1 lbs scoopable cat litter $6.29 (not pictured, using mail-in rebate form from felinepine.com to get this item free)
Total spent OOP: $3.57 (after mail-in rebate)
CVS (pictured above):
Remember to ask the pharmacists about Readyfill to receive a coupon book worth $25!
M&Ms .67 (used real chocolate relief act coupon, making it free)
Glade Sense & Spray $5 (used SS $4 off coupon from 8/23)
Glade Scented Oil glass candle holder $2.50
Glade Scented Oil candle refill $2.50 (used buy scented oil candle holder get refill free coupon from SS 8/23)
York peppermint patty $.50 (purchased to get a free tote bag with samples and coupons, you can access the form here: http://img4.cookinglight.com/static/generic/HappySeptVs6.pdf)
Total spent OOP: $1.73 (after getting $3 back in ECB's for buying $10 worth of participating Glade products)
I want to let you all know that my local CVS stores (we have 3 here) are selling/sold out of the Glade Sense & Sprays and the Glade lasting impressions on sale this week. All you have to do if your stores are sold out is request a rain check. Make sure they put the ECB's on the rain check too!

Sunday night was a cancer benefit show at the Hub for an old friend of mine, T.J. The admission was $5, and considering that all of the proceeds were going to T.J., it was a good cause. The Jagermeister girls were at the bar handing out freebies that night also. I was able to get a T-shirt size L, thong size L, visor, lanyard, lei and blinkie shaped like a shark. It was a good night of unexpected freebies!

Freebie roundup

• Sign up to be a Purex Insider to get free products to test. Also get $1 off Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. These things are awesome!

• Mercury Magazines is offering a free one year subscription to Spa magazine to those who qualify.

• Get a free appetizer at Joe’s Crab Shack when you sign up for Joe Mail.

• Walmart is offering a free NoDoz sample and coupon.

• Tillys.com is offering a free Back to School CD-ROM.

• Sign up for a free sample from Simply Discrete (form at bottom of page).

• ValueMags.com is offering 3 free issues of Wake Boarding Magazine.

• Get a free sample of Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil when you call 1-800-662-2544 (offer was featured in Body & Soul magazine).

• Slim-Fast is offering a free “Guide To Weight Loss Success.”

• Allure Magazine is giving away free stuff each weekday this month. Click here to find out what you can get today!

Register to get your free sample of Dentaburst. Simply complete the form and allow for six to eight weeks for delivery. Only one sample per household. US orders only, no international orders. Click HERE to get your free sample!

Here’s a kid‘s cookbook full of kitchen safety tips and great cheese recipes. You can order a cookbook by mail or download one instantly. Click HERE for your free cookbook.

From making money, to saving money, to investing money, to spending money, The Teen Girl's Gotta-Have-It Guide to Money is packed with sound advice and innovative ideas for helping girls manange their money wisely.Click HERE for your FREE book.Click HERE for other FREE resources, including a CD-ROM and numerous booklets.

Sign up and you can get a $5 printable coupon off ANY Zantac. Evidently the small package at Walmart is $4.97 which means this could possibly be free. Either way this is a great coupon to save a bunch off your next Zantac purchase!Click HERE to get your $5 off coupon! There is also a $5 mail in rebate - this could easily turn into a money maker! Click HERE for the $5 Mail in Rebate form!

Sign up for the FREE MenopauseRx Survival Kit to receive free educational materials, full size samples and coupons for products to relieve menopause symptoms and address pertinent health concerns. Click HERE to get your free survival kit!

This week’s freebie roundup is courtesy of The Freebie Blogger and swaggrabber.com

How to shop at Walgreens

I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to the Register Rewards program at Walgreens.

In many ways, this program is very similar to the CVS ExtraCare program. When you purchase certain items and/or a certain dollar amount of items, a coupon will print out that is good on your next purchase at Walgreens.

Much like CVS, to maximize your savings the key is to combine a Register Rewards producing deal or a great sale price with a manufacturer’s coupon and possibly even a store coupon. This allows you to purchase items at the lowest possible price so you can build your stockpile at a minimal cost.

However, there are some important differences that you need to be aware of to take advantage of the program to its fullest:

• Walgreens does not require the use of a store loyalty card to earn Register Rewards, aka RRs.

• You will only earn RRs once per deal per transaction. In other words, if Excedrin is producing $2 in RRs in a given week, you must purchase each bottle in a separate transaction to earn the Register Rewards. If you purchase 3 bottles in one transaction, you would only receive $2 in RRs.

• RRs cannot be “rolled” on like transactions. Using the Excedrin example again, you could not purchase one bottle of Excedrin and use the RRs received to purchase a second bottle. The Register Rewards will not print out when the second transaction is completed. Instead to roll RRs, you need to alternate it with another deal. So if Pantene was producing $2 in RRs as well that week, you could purchase the Excedrin, use the Excedrin RRs to purchase your Pantene, and then turn around and use the Pantene RRs to purchase the Excedrin again and so on.

• While Register Rewards are essentially cash, the Walgreens registers treat them as manufacturer coupons. The problem with this is that Walgreens only allow you to use as many manufacturer coupons as items on the transaction. This creates a need for “filler items” if you have a coupon for every item you’re purchasing and wish to pay with a Register Reward. Filler items are inexpensive items that you add to an order so you have a non-coupon item that will allow your Register Rewards to be processed.

• There is some debate about the best order to hand over your RRs and coupons at checkout. The method that I’ve found to work best personally is Register Rewards first, Walgreen’s store coupons second, and manufacturer’s coupons last. Feel free to change it up if it’s not working well for you.

Finally, a word to the wise – treat your RRs like cash. They cannot be replaced if lost. Generally Register Rewards expire two weeks from when they are generated, so watch those expiration dates!

How to shop at CVS

When you play the Drugstore Game, utilizing the program to its fullest, you can literally save hundreds of dollars for a very small investment of time to research the CVS deals each week.

Learning the ins and outs of the CVS ExtraCare Program may seem a little daunting at first, but it’s really quite simple when you break it down into the following steps.

This post will just tackle the basics of the program to get you started:

Verify that you have a CVS close to you. The easiest way to do this is using the CVS Store Finder. This seems pretty obvious, but with the price of gas these days, you won’t be doing yourself any favors if you’re offsetting your savings by spending a significant amount of money on fuel.

Sign up for your very own ExtraCare Card. This can be done on CVS.com, or you may sign up in a store. Your best bet is to do it in a store so you can begin using your card immediately. If you choose to sign up online, it will take approximately two weeks to receive your card.

Configure your scenarios. You’ll need to pick up a weekly store ad, as well as a monthly store ad. You can find the highlights of the weekly and monthly store ads, along with detailed weekly scenarios, posted right here, or you can find the full lists on SlickDeals.net. You do need to be careful with the weekly ads, as they can vary between locations. Scan both ads to find the ExtraCare Bucks offers that most appeal to you. The most lucrative offers are usually the ones that are already free after ExtraCare Bucks (ECBs).

Your ultimate goal is to attempt to create transaction scenarios that actually earn you a profit in ECBs. You can achieve this by reducing your total amount spent out of pocket (OOP) with CVS dollar off coupons (ex. $3 off a $15 purchase), CVS item coupons, and manufacturer coupons. You can actually “stack” one CVS store coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item, and use both in conjunction with a $/$$ coupon.

A great example of this is a recent Adidas Deodorant offer. The deodorant was free after ECBs for the month of May, and there was a coupon available to purchase the deodorant for free in All You Magazine. Even though you aren’t paying OOP, you still earn the ECBs on the transaction. So you paid with the coupon, getting the item for free, and still earned $3.99 in ECBs to be used towards a future transaction.

Learn how to roll your ECBs. Once you’ve mastered the art of earning a profit on ECBs, you’ll want to move on to learning how to “roll” them, which is just another way of saying that you’re using them to pay for for items that earn more ECBs thus greatly reducing your OOP spending after your initial outlay. Learning how to effectively roll your ECBs will save you the most money in the long run.

Occasionally this may mean purchasing items that you don’t really want or need, but think of the many things you could do with these items. Glucose monitors are always a welcome donation at nursing homes. Toiletries can be donated to shelters. Use items as stocking stuffers, create gift baskets, or even sell them in garage/yard sales. You can find a use for just about everything if you think creatively.

Now it’s time to go shopping!!!

At the store, the first thing I do is grab all of the items I’ve incorporated into my scenarios. It’s not at all unusual for some items to be out of stock, so it helps to have a few backup items in mind if possible. I always bring my calculator and coupon keeper in case I have to do some on-the-spot configuring.

You may want to group your purchase into multiple transactions. Often I’ll do multiple transactions in one trip, so I group each transaction and organize my coupons before approaching the cashier so as to make checking out as efficient as possible. There are a couple of reasons for doing multiple transactions. One is to maximize your savings from $/$$ CVS coupons when they’re available. For example, if you have a $2/$10 purchase coupon, it makes more sense to do multiple transactions as close to $10 so you can get $2 off each one. A second reason would be to roll your ECBs that print from one transaction and use them to pay for your next transaction to minimize your actual OOP expenses.

Learn the proper order to present your coupons. When you’re ready to check out, first make sure the cashier scans your ExtraCare Card. Then it’s important that you present your coupons in exactly this order to maximize your savings – CVS dollar off transaction coupons, CVS store coupons/manufacturer coupons, and finally your ECBs. If you present your dollar off coupons after your manufacturer and store coupons, your total transaction amount may not be high enough to allow the system to accept the coupon.

One very important thing to mention about ECBs is that you will not get change for them, so make sure you use them to their fullest. If I have a dollar off transaction coupon, I generally try to stay as close as possible to the minimum transaction amount to maximize my savings, but if my total after coupons is less than the ECBs I have to pay with, I’ll pad my transaction with a few filler items so I’m not wasting the difference between the transaction amount and the ECBs. Filler items are just inexpensive items that you add to a transaction to get it above a certain subtotal. Trial size items are great, or in a pinch at the register you could grab a pack of gum.

Check your receipts and verify that all ECBs you earned printed correctly. It’s much easier to have issues resolved before you leave the store, but CVS Customer Care is generally very helpful as well. And make sure to put your ECBs in a safe place. Treat them like cash because trying to get them replaced is near impossible if you lose them.

CVS match-ups 8/23

:: 3-Day Deals – Sunday Through Tuesday Only

Caliber or CVS Brand Composition Book, $.99
Get $0.99 ECBs (limit 2)
FREE after ECBs!

Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils (5-10 ct.), 2/$1

Maybelline Mascara, psa $7.49 (BOGO)
– Colossal Volum’ Express
– XXL Extensions
– XXL Curl Power Mascara
$1/1 Maybelline Mascara, exp. 8-31-09 (RP 8/2/09)
$2.75 ea. after coupons!

:: ECB Deals

Carefree Ultra Protection, $3.79
Get $3.79 ECBs (limit 4)
$1/1 Carefree printable
Better than FREE after coupons and ECBs!

Aveeno Skin, Sun, or Hair Care
Get $10 ECBs wyb $25 (limit 1)
– Sunblock Lotion or Spray, $9
– Bath Treatment, $7
– Cleanser, Scrub, or Pads (excludes positively ageless), $7
– Positively Ageless (excludes cleanser), $18
$2/1 Aveeno printable
$2/1 Aveeno Nourish + Hair Care Collection, exp. 8-31-09 (V 5/31/09)
$1.50/1 Aveeno Nourish + Hair Care Collection, exp. 8-31-09 (ALL YOU June ‘09)
Use a $5/$25 CVS coupon and Aveeno could be as low as $0.50 ea. after coupons and ECBs!

Glade Products
Get $3 ECBs wyb $10 (limit 3)
– Glade Plugins Refills, 2/$5
– Glade Scented Oil Candle Holders or Refills, 2/$5
– Glade Sense & Spray, 2/$10
– Glade Lasting Impressions, 2/$10

$4/1 Glade Sense & Spray Starter Kit, exp. 10-3-09 (SS 8/23/09)

$4/1 Glade Sense & Spray Starter Kit , exp. 9-30-09 (ALL YOU July '09)

$1/2 Glade PlugIns Scented Gel Refill Pack, exp. 9-5-09 (SS 7/26/09)
$1/2 Glade Plugins Scented Oil , exp. 9-12-09 (SS 8/2/09)
FREE Glade Scented Oil Candles Refill Pack WYB Any Glade Scented Oil Candles Holder, exp. 10-3-09 (SS 8/23/09)
$1/1 Glade Scented Oil Refill Pack, exp. 10-3-09 (SS 8/23/09)

Suggested Deals

Buy (2) Glade Sense & Spray
Use (2) $4/1 Glade Sense & Spray Starter Kit , exp. 9-30-09 (ALL YOU July ‘09) or (SS 8/23/09)
Better than FREE after coupons and ECBs!

-OR-

Buy (2) Glade Scented Oil Warmers
Buy (2) Glade Scented Oil Warmer Refills
Use (2) FREE Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer wyb Refill, exp. 9-12-09 (SS #2 8/2/09)
$0.50 ea. after coupons and ECBs!

Mennen Deodorant, $2.49
Get $1 ECBs (limit 2)
$1.50/1 Mennen Deodorant printable (regional by zip code)
Better than FREE after coupons and ECBs!

Poise Liners or Pads, 2/$4
Get $1 ECBs wyb 2 (limit 5)
$2/1 Poise printable
$1.50/2 Poise Pads printable
$1.50/2 Poise Liners printable
$1.50/2 Poise Pads, exp. 10-11-09 (SS 8/9/09)
$1.50/2 Poise Pantiliners, exp. 10-11-09 (SS 8/9/09)
As low as better than FREE after coupons and ECBs!

Mead Five Star Binders, psa $3.19
Get $5 ECBs wyb $15 (limit 1)
$2/1 Mead Five Star Binder printable
$0.19 ea. after coupons and ECBs!

Kraft Mac and Cheese, 4/$4
Get $2 ECBs wyb 4 (limit 1)
$0.50 ea. after ECBs!

Adidas Action 3 Anti-Perspirant, $4.99
Get $3 ECBs (limit 1)
$1.99 after ECBs!

Always Ultra Thin Pads, $6
Get $3 ECBs (limit 2)
$0.50/1 Always Pad, exp. 8-31-09 (P&G 8/2/09)
$2.50 after coupon and ECBs!

Schick Intuition or Quattro Razor or Cartridges, $8.99
Get $2 ECBs (limit 1)
$4/1 Schick Quattro Intuition Razor or Refill, exp. 9-18-09 (ALL YOU August ‘09)
$4/1 Schick Quattro or Intuition Razor or Refill, exp. 8-30-09 (SS 7/26/09)
$4/1 Schick Quattro or Intuition Razor or Refill, exp. 10-4-09 (SS 8/23/09)
$4/1 Schick Quattro Titanium Razor or Refill, exp. 8-30-09 (SS 7/26/09)
$4/1 Schick Quattro Titanium Razor or Refill, exp. 10-4-09 (SS 8/23/09)
$2.99 after coupon and ECBs!

Aquafina or Pepsi 12-pks., 4/$12
Get $3 ECBs wyb 4 (limit 1 – regional deal)
$2.25 ea. after ECBs!

:: Other Deals

Accu Check Meter, $10
$10/1 Accu-Chek Aviva System, exp. 12-31-09 (SS 8/23/09)
FREE after coupon!

Campbell’s Soup, $1
$1/2 Campbell’s Soup printable
$0.50 ea. after coupon!

Rimmel Mascara, psa $3.69 (BOGO 50% off)
$2/1 Rimmel Mascara, exp. 10-31-09 (RP 8/23/09)
$0.77 ea. after coupons!

Kellogg’s Cereal (select varieties), $2
$1.50/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats printable
$1/2 Kellogg’s Cereal, exp. 9-13-09 (Kellogg’s/Keebler Insert 8/2/09)
$1.50 after coupon!

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, 2/$4
$0.40/1 Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Shapes printable
$0.40/1 Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Shapes printable
$0.40/1 Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Shapes, exp. 10-3-09 (SS #2 8/9/09)
$1.60 after coupon!

Huggies Mega Pack, $14.99
$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers printable
$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers printable
$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers, exp. 9-12-09 (SS 8/16/09)
$1.50/1 Huggies or Huggies Supreme Diapers via Upromise Deposit
$11.99 after coupon and Upromise Deposit!

Pampers Mega Pack, $14.99
$2/1 Pampers Cruisers Diapers, exp. 10-31-09 (SS 8/2/09)
$12.99 after coupon!

Thanks to Dealseekingmom.com for the match-ups!

Coupon reference guide

For those of you wondering about the lingo used when talking about coupons, here is a quick reference guide.

Sunday newspaper inserts:

P&G = Procter & Gamble Sunday insert
RP = Red Plum
SS = SmartSource
V = Valassis

Here in Fargo, we don't get the Red Plum inserts in our paper. I'm still going to post the deals so that if you live in an area where you do receive the ads, you can still use the match-ups.

When I list the store deals and refer to a coupon from a Sunday insert, the information on where to find the coupon is in parentheses. For example,
(SS 12/14/08) would indicate that a coupon came from a SmartSource insert that was distributed in the 12/14/08 Sunday newspaper.

Coupon lingo:

$1/1, $1/2, etc. = One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. = Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
BOGO = Buy one item get one item free
B2GO = Buy two items get one item free
Blinkies = Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat = Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
CRT = Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt
ECBs = ExtraCare Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system
ESRs = EasySaver Rebates, Walgreens monthly rebates program
FAR = Free after rebate
IPQ = Internet printable coupon
IVC = Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens’ store coupons found in ads and ESR booklet
MFR = Manufacturer
MIR = Mail-in rebate
OYNO = On your next order
OOP = Out of pocket
Peelie = Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA = Prices starting at
RRs = Register Rewards, Walgreens’ Catalina coupons
SCR = Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
UPC = Universal Product Code, bar code on a product
WT = Wine tag, no alcohol purchase necessary to use these coupons
WYB = When you buy
YMMV = You mileage (or manager) may vary, some stores may allow you to do a deal, some may not.

Walgreens match-ups 8/23

Here’s the best of what I see at Walgreens this week. What’s on your list?

New to couponing? Read up on what all of these abbreviations mean first in my quick reference guide.

:: Register Rewards Deals

Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse, 2/$8
Get $3 RRs wyb 2
$1/1 Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Listerine Smart Rinse printable
$1/1 Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse, exp. 5-31-10 (SS 6/14/09)
BOGO Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse, exp. 12-31-09 (SS 8/2/09)
$1/1 Listerine Walgreens Coupon (Walgreens Children’s Activity Book)

Suggested Deal

Buy (2) Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse
Use BOGO coupon
Use $1/1 manufacturer coupon
Use $1/1 Walgreens coupon
Better than FREE after coupons and RRs!

Children’s Benadryl, $4.99
Get $5 RRs wyb 2
$1/1 Benadryl Children’s, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 8/23/09)
$1/1 Benadryl Walgreens Coupon (Walgreens Children’s Activity Book)
$0.49 ea. after coupons and RRs!

Keebler Cookies and Club Crackers, 4/$10
Get $5 RRs wyb 4
$1/2 Keebler Cookies printable
$1/2 Club Crackers printable
$1/2 Keebler Cookies and/or Sunshine Multipacks, exp. 9-27-09 (SS 8/2/09)
$1/2 Keebler Sandwich Crackers, exp. 9-27-09 (Kellogg’s/Keebler Insert 8/2/09)
$0.75 ea. after coupons and RRs!

Goody Ouchless Hair Accessory, $2.99
Get $2 RRs
$0.99 after RRs!

:: Monthly Register Rewards Deals

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $4.99
Get a coupon for a FREE Maybelline Mascara wyb 1
$1/1 Maybelline Mascara, exp. 8-31-09 (RP 8/2/09)
$2 ea. after coupons!

Select Kellogg’s Cereal (12 to 20-oz.), 2/$5
Get $2 RRs wyb 2
$1/1 Special K Blueberry printable
Use 2 $1 coupons from here (for Special K Blueberry Cereal)
$1/2 Kellogg’s Cereals, exp. 9-13-09 (Kellogg’s/Keebler Insert 8/2/09)
As low as $0.50 ea. after coupons and RRs!

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrient 3-Minute Treatment, $3.99
Get $2 RRs
$1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment, exp. 8-15-09 (V 7/12/09)
$0.99 after coupon and RRs!

:: Other Deals

Reach Toothbrush, $0.99 (w/ in-ad coupon)
$1/1 Reach Toothbrush, exp. 12-31-09 (SS 8/2/09)
FREE after coupon!

Rimmel Mascara, psa $3.49 (on sale 40% off)
$2/1 Rimmel Mascara, exp. 10-31-09 (RP 8/23/09)
As low as $0.09 after coupon!

Scotch Transparent Tape, 2/$1 (w/ in-ad coupon)
$1/3 Scotch Tape, exp. 9-30-09 (V 7/12/09)
$0.17 ea. after coupons!

Tylenol Products (20-24 ct.), $4.49 (BOGO)
$2/1 Tylenol 8-Hour printable
$2/1 Tylenol 8-Hour Product, exp. 11-23-09 (SS 8/23/09)
$2/1 Tylenol Product (SS 6/21/09)
$0.25 ea. after coupons!

Scotch Mailing Envelope, $0.79 (w/ in-ad coupon)
$0.50/1 Scotch Packaging Supply, exp. 9-30-09 (V 7/26/09)
$0.29 after coupons!

Carmex Lip Balm, $2.99 (BOGO)
$1/1 Carmex Lip Balm printable
$0.50 ea. after coupons!

Barilla Pasta, 3/$3
$0.50/1 Barilla Piccolini, exp. 10-18-09 (SS 8/23/09)
$0.50 after coupon!

Glade Fabric and Odor Eliminator, 2/$5
B1G1 Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator, exp. 10-31-09 (ALL YOU August ‘09)
$1/1 Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator (SS 8/9/09)
$0.75 ea. after both coupons!

Cottonelle Wipes, 2/$5
B1G1Cottonelle SoothingClean Tub or Refill, exp. 10-4-09 (SS 8/23/09)
$1.25 ea. after coupon!

Thanks to Dealseekingmom.com for the match-ups!

Kmart Super Doubles Week is ending today!

This week was Kmart doubles at select stores. They were doubling coupons up to $2, including BOGO coupons. There was a limit of 10 coupons to be doubled per person per day, and you had to make a minimum purchase of $25 in order for the coupons to be doubled.

Here are the the shopping trips that I made to Kmart this week:

8/22/09
Axe shower gel $4.29 x 3 (used 3 $1.50 printable coupons, which doubled)
Alpo canned dog food .69 x 2 (used BOGO printable coupon, which doubled, making these free)
Cesar dog food entrees .99 x 2 (used BOGO printable coupon, which doubled, making these free)
Trident gum $1 x 2 (used BOGO printable coupon, which doubled, making these free)
Eclipse gum $1.19 x 2 (used BOGO coupon from ALL YOU magazine, which doubled, making these free)
Taster's Choice Instant Coffee singles (7 pack) $1 x 2 (used BOGO printable coupon, which doubled, making these free)
Venom Mamba energy drinks $1.99 x 4 (used 2 BOGO printable coupons, which doubled, making these free)
American Fare tortilla chips $1 (used printable Kmart coupon to get these free, up to $1.99, with a $15 or more purchase of food or beauty items. Coupon actually deducted $1.99 off my total too!)

Coupons that printed after making purchase: Free movie ticket (from purchasing 3 axe shower gels) and save .50 on 6 cans of alpo dog food (not sure if you need to buy 1 or 2 cans of alpo to get this coupon, I bought 2)
Total spent OOP: $3.87 (tax and axe shower gels)

8/21/09 Fargo, ND Kmart
Secret deodorant $2.99 (used $1.50 printable coupon)
Got2Be hair styling glue $4.49 (used $2 printable coupon)
Visine $3.99 (used $2 printable coupon)
Renu travel kit $3.69 x 2 (used 2 $2 printable coupons)
Hartz cat treats $1.79 x 2 (used 2 $1 off printable coupons)
Milkbone gravy dog biscuits $2.99 (used free coupon that printed from previous Kmart shopping trip when 2 boxes of hartz dog biscuits were purchased)
Eclipse gum $1.19 x 2 (used BOGO coupon from ALL YOU magazine)
Taster's Choice Instant Coffee singles (7 pack) $1 x 2 (used BOGO printable coupon)

Total spent OOP: $1.54 (mostly tax and .49 for Got2Be product)

8/21/09 Moorhead, MN Kmart
Kotex 22ct pads $1.29 (used $1 printable coupon)
Visine $3.99 (used $2 P&G coupon from newspaper inserts)
Dove deodorant $3.99 x 2 (used 2 $2 printable coupons)
Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaning gel $3.50 (used $2 printable coupon)
Scrubbing Bubbles fresh brush 2in1 starter kit $4.50 (used buy scrubbing bubbles toilet cleaning gel get a starter kit free P&G coupon from newspaper inserts)
Hartz dog biscuits $3.59 x 2 (used 2 $2 printable coupons)
Ajax dish soap $1.99 (used $1 printable coupon)
Taster's Choice Instant Coffee singles (7 pack) $1 (used .50 printable coupon)
Total spent OOP: .53 cents!

8/19/09
Garnier Nutritioniste moisturizer $9.36 (used $1 manufacturer's coupon from Walmart)
Scotch pop-up tape dispenser $3.99 (used $2 printable coupon)
Secret deodorant $3.99 (used $2 printable coupon)
Reach dental floss $1.49 x 2 (used $1.50 printable coupon)
Ajax dish soap $1.99 (used $1 printable coupon)
Glade carpet freshener $2.19 (used $1 P&G coupon from newspaper inserts)
Bowl fresh .79 (used .50 coupon from Kmart coupon booklet)
Trident gum $1 x 2 (used BOGO printable coupon)
Coffeemate liquid creamer $2.29 x 2 (used 2 $1 printable coupons)
Total spent OOP: $10.27 (tax, .19 for Glade carpet freshener and $7.36 for moisturizer)

It's been a great week, and I can't wait for Kmart doubles to happen again!

Grocery trips made this week

Every week I check the local ads for grocery stores and I usually make purchases based on the sales. In Fargo, ND there are Hornbachers, Cash Wise Foods and Sunmart Foods.

8/19/09 Cash Wise Foods
Sara Lee wheat hamburger buns $2
Freschetta portobello mushroom and spinach pizza $5.98 (and peelie coupon for $1 off)
Bernatello Good N Garlic spinach pizza $2.75
Focaccia bread form the bakery $2.29
$12.02 spent

8/20/09 Walmart
Mushrooms $3.18/lb x .6lb $1.91
$1.91 spent (I also had to pick up a USB cable for my new printer)

8/21/09 Sunmart Foods
Navel oranges for .97/lb, bought 3.26 lbs (5 average sized oranges)
$3.16 spent

8/21/09 Cash Wise Foods
seedless watermelon $2.88
Old orchard frozen juice concentrate $1 x 3
Decorated cookie from the bakery $1.99
$7.87 spent

8/22/09 Cash Wise Foods
Doritos $1.98 with in-store coupon
Food Club Fruit Snacks .88 with in-store coupon x 3
Food Club 8oz shredded cheese .98 with in-store coupon x 2
FC Mac and Cheese .29 with in-store coupon x 4
Silk Soymilk Light Original $3.39 ($1.50 manufacturer's coupon)
$9.63 spent

Total spent this week: $34.59
Normally I would only make one trip to each store, although the first trip to Cash Wise wasn't planned and I wasn't prepared. The second trip I made was to buy the sale items, and the last trip to buy the items with in-store coupons that expired today (i almost forgot about them).

Some of the meals planned with these groceries:
Teriyaki stir-fry with mushrooms, green pepper, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes with brown rice.
Foccacia bread with oil and vinegar for dipping.
Hamburger buns for use with Boca chicken patties and cheeseburgers.
Juice, watermelon and oranges for breakfasts and snacks.
Doritos and fruit snacks for lunches at work.

This week's freebies

Every week I will post a blog about the freebies that I have received, and the free events that I have attended. With all of these free/cheap items, I will be stocking my pantry, giving some of the items to my grandparents and donating everything else to the proper organizations. Please enjoy!

Monday night was the last of the "Fargo Rocks" concerts this summer at the Dike. It was free and open to the public. Wasted Effort and Serenity's Call played. Free T-shirts were given out to most of the people in attendance, and there was a local church set up that was giving away free bottles of water and snowcones (a bit cold that day for snowcones though).












Monday night was also the last of the "Movies in the park" at Island Park. This event was also free and open to the public. The movie was Monsters Inc., Pepsi and Luther Family Ford sponsored the event. They gave away free boxes of popcorn and cans of soda. They also had rulers, small frisbees, pizza cutters, mints and a pocket sized road atlas. The Fargo Police were also there handing out temporary tattoos, stickers, crayons with word finds and magnets. I am definitely going to these events again next summer!



In the mail this week I received:
Drinkin' Mate sample with a coupon from their website
Jiffy recipe book from their website
Bike Travel Takes You Farther sticker from the Adventure Cycling Association
Survival Guide For the Soul manual from www.unity.org
Carefree pantiliner from the Carefree website
Playtex Sport tampon samples with a coupon from Walmart
VCF Vaginal Contraceptive Film, 3 samples and a refund offer, from Apothecus Pharmeceutical Corp.
Map of the United States from the Sierra Club (this is the only freebie that I didn't request, I have been on their mailing list for quite some time now since I occasionally donate to them).

Just getting started

Hello everyone and welcome to my new blog!

I started living frugally a while back and decided to start this blog so that I can share some of my tips and tricks with you. I will be posting about coupons, freebies, sales in stores and online, hints to living cheeply and my shopping trips. I will try to provide links whenever possible. And remember, there a lots of other websites out there like this one, so be sure to check them out as well. Thanks for checking out my new website!